Church Building - New Project Update

Saturday, 21 July 2018

Unfortunately, the Parish's second application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for funding has not been successful. Thanks to all who worked so hard to make the submission. However, the show must go on; the repair work is necessary and must be completed if the Church is remain wind and watertight. Fr Chris is confident that we can meet costs from our own resources. Another setback is that the Conservation Architect and Quantity Surveyor we have been working closely with on identifying what needs to be done is retiring. The Fabric Committee will work with the diocese to ensure that the project moves forward.

BACKGROUND

The Parish Fabric Committee advised in February 2017 that as the exterior of the Church building is starting to show its age, a Conservation Architect had been commissioned to carry out a complete survey of the Church and found that there is much that needs attention which could, if left, lead to serious problems. The Architect working with a Quantity Surveyor estimated the costs for such a major project to be in the region of £350,000.

The Fabric Committee then made an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for partial funding by them of the proposed project. The maximum grant HLF make is £250,000. Notification was received in June 2017 from HLF that that application, although a good application which met outcomes and did indeed qualify for funding, was ultimately unsuccessful. The Fabric Committee are continuing to make applications to other grant-funding bodies and are considering whether to make a second application to HLF. Further meetings are to be held with the Architect to discuss the way forward. The Parish will be kept advised of progress through updates in the newsletter and via the website.

This is a major project that will safeguard St Margaret's Memorial Church for the future. Thank you for your continued support of our monthly Building Fund Collection - without that support this project would not be possible.

St. Margaret's exterior view

OUR MISSION

St. Margaret’s is a Christian Community in the Catholic tradition. Having found strength and peace in following Jesus Christ we strive under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and by following the example of St. Margaret of Scotland to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by:

Worshiping God through Sunday Mass, the celebration of the Sacraments and other services and devotions;

Growing in our commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour through prayer, reflection and education;

Caring for those who are most vulnerable in our society, pastorally, spiritually and materially by praying with and for the sick and elderly at home and in care or hospital, and helping to meet the material needs of those in the local community and abroad by generous sharing of our time and treasure.

All are welcome to join in prayer, worship and caring at St Margaret’s.